Diving with Beaked Whales

Beaked whales are the most mysterious of all marine mammals. So far, there are about 20 species known around the world. They inhabit deep, pelagic waters spending very little time at the surface.

As a consequence, scientists are developing technologies to learn more about these elusive toothed whales. Mark Johnson has designed a non-invasive way to study them using a device called the DTAG.

Disappearing Dolphins

Common dolphins were once abundant throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Today they are declining rapidly, surviving only in portions of their former range. In western Greece, the sea around the island of Kalamos is their last stronghold, or at least it used to be. So why are the dolphins disappearing?

We interview Giovanni Bearzi, the President of the Tethys Research Institute in Italy, and a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation. Giovanni has been studying coastal dolphins in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea for two decades.

Whales of the Mediterranean Sea

Whales of the Mediterranean Sea is a five part documentary film that ventures into deep seas and coastal waters with a range of international scientists. It examines the ecology of cetaceans, while exploring the causes of increasing pressures on their populations and habitats.

Four hundred million people share the precious marine resources of the Mediterranean. Will increasing pressures cause cetaceans to disappear as we are just getting to know them?

Illegal Driftnets

We interview Xavier Pastor of Oceana, a global marine conservation organization. He leads a team of scientists, photographers, and videographers who are systematically documenting the use of illegal driftnets throughout the Mediterranean.

With over 500 driftnet vessels operating illegally in the region, researchers and conservation groups are concerned that marine species are being pushed to the edge. In this episode, we investigate the fishery and examine why it still occurs today.

Blogs

Go behind the scenes in the making of the Whale Trackers series. Learn more about the tools and techniques in filming cetaceans as well as read some of the stories behind the camera.

Expedition Vaquita

The Vaquita is the world's smallest porpoise. They live only in the northern reaches of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Scientists estimate the entire population to be 150 animals.

This expedition marks the beginning of an all out, last-ditch effort to save the little known Vaquita. With so few animals remaining, time is critical.

Sperm Whales of Greece - Life in the Trenches

In the Ionian Sea, we discover a socializing sperm whale family, and study their behavior as they welcome a newborn calf into the group. However, the future for this calf, and its family is uncertain. As their habitat deteriorates due to human pressures, what does the future hold for the most social of the great whales? .